Sermon Outline Archive 2006:

Sermon Outline April 6, 2008 Morning Service

Topic: What Makes Jesus Mad?

I. The week of the crucifixion was the climax of Jesus’ 33-years here.

A. If we don’t understand that, it will be difficult to grasp who Jesus is.

B. These events matter.

II. On Sunday, Jesus entered the city riding on the foal of a donkey.

A. He came in humility.

B. He had tears in his eyes for the sins of the city that would reject Him.

III. On Monday, the tears turned to fire as His eyes blazed with indignation.

A. This was a side of Jesus most would rather not think about.

B. The baby in the manger, the calmer of storms and the forgiver of sins is so much more appealing.

C. Two events take place on Monday.

1. He cursed a barren fig tree.

2. He drove the merchants from the outer court of the temple.

D. Jesus carefully planned these events.

Text

I. Jesus gets mad when he sees promise without performance.

A. That is the lesson of the fig tree.

B. Any people, even His chosen people, who professes faith in God but do not live that life will face the same fate as the fig tree (Luke 13:6-9;

(Matthew 7:21).

C. Jesus gets mad when people don’t walk their talk.

II. Jesus also gets mad at profession without prayer.

A. Mark said Jesus did a walk through of the Temple on Sunday.

1. He already knew what He was going to do but waited until the next day.

2. He had something to do that He wanted everyone to see.

B. The Jewish Temple was a magnificent structure.

C. The temple had become a veritable shopping mall.

D. God had intended the temple to be a house of prayer.

III. Jesus gets mad at practice without purpose.

A. The Lord offers a hint at what was happening when he says that God intended the temple to be a house of prayer “for all nations.”

B. The people of God had abandoned God’s call.

Conclusion

I. It is not just the Jews who can lose sight of God’s eternal purpose.

A. Anyone who thinks the church exists for their comfort and convenience makes the same mistake.

B. So do people who argue that charity begins at home as an excuse for not supporting others.

C. As do those of who are tempted to see the church as a country club for the saints rather than as a hospital for sinners.

II. It is not about us, it is about Jesus.

A. Our God still wants all people to hear the message of Jesus.

B. Jesus doesn’t like it when we forget that; it makes him good and mad.

C. That was then, this is now, but the principles remain the same.